Tuesday

Learning How to Ski!


With the Scouts we went to Winterplace, West Virginia and I put skis on my feet for the first time!
Getting off the chairlift for the first time. I did not fall on my butt!
At least not when the camera was around.

This is easy, anybody can do it!

Me and some of the girls, deciding which run to own next.

Wait. How do I go uphill?

Oh No! Don't slide backwards!! No Brakes!!

I did take the Ski School on the bunny slopes. I ended up ditching my class because I just wanted to ski. School and I never really got along to too well, I learn better by doing. I learned that man-made snow is about as soft as concrete, only colder and wet. After spending many turns sprawled across the path, I finally got the hang of it. I made it all the way down the mountain twice without falling!

Finishing up my last run, just as we were getting ready to leave, I overcame my fears and bombed the steepest, longest hill in the park. I decided that if I fell, I fell and oh well...I was going for it. I swung down and started picking up major speed, telling myself to leanforwardleanforwardleanforward.

A kid biffed it right in front of me and I knew I was going to crash straight into him, but I maneuvered past him and made it to the bottom safe and sound.

Last run of the day and I nailed it!! I am so stinkin' proud of myself! Go Me!!



Thursday

Creative Marketing


Some marketing guru at the nation's largest independent broker dealer came up with this catchy tagline. For real. It is posted on the home page of our intranet. I look at it everyday. Not only did somebody get paid to come up with this, but multiple people, including higher ups, approved it! Does anyone else see the blatant innuendo in this? Seriously!

Happy Valentine's Day!


Tuesday

Quote for the Day


With the fearful strain
that is on me day and night,
if I did not laugh, I should die.
-Abraham Lincoln
16th President of the United States
Born today 1809

Comic of the Day


Happy Valentines Day!



Monday

A Flower by Any Other Name...


What Edeninc Means
You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.
You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row.
You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace.
People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality.



You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.
You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.
You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.



You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.
You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.
A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.

Sunday

Pour 'em out

The time I spend doing nothing is more rewarding than the time I spend doing something.

I can't stop thinking.

Yellow is a great color for a bathroom, bad for a kitchen.

I would rather have flowers.

You must think I am so selfish. I am.

I use my past as an excuse for my behavior.

I eat popcorn and candy 1 piece at a time.

If I had to choose, I would rather have a spoon than a fork.

They say pointing is rude. I do it all the time.

Who are "They" and why do I care what they say?

I wish I was a better photographer.

I wish I would actually do all the things I wish I did.

I broke it.

It won't ever be the same.

I'm scared of change.

Books sit unread on my shelves, mocking me.

I think the books I have read make fun of the ones I haven't.

God told me something once, now I'm scared to ask.

I could knit you a hat.

When I hear about friends and their babies, my heart breaks.

The wind sings to me.

I wish I was a cat, that's the life!

I pretend to be happy for you, but I'm really not.

I feel more comfortable in a poolhall than in most other places.

Once I didn't have anything else to repent of. It didn't last.

I really would be ok with less, as long as I knew it would be there everyday.

My dad made me a little wooden truck. It makes me smile everytime I see it.

I want to trust Him, but I'm scared of what He'll tell me next.

Someday I will meet them. What am I going to say?

Going to church makes me feel guilty for all the things I'm not doing.

The power went out. Made me wonder if we could make it without it.

I want to see a psychic, just to see if they're for real.

His picture makes me feel courageous.

I miss Oreo.

I'm scared to call and ask about medicine.

What if it doesn't fix anything? Then what?

I'm glad we finally have a kitchen table.

3 Yahtzee's? Are you kidding me!?!

The sculpture of Psyche reminded me of me.

We pay to talk to her, but I think she's kinda batty.

I play Boggle by myself.

I know I'm smarter.

We hang pictures way too high because that's where the leftover nails are.

Lost is getting way too far out there.

Sometimes I wish I did watch TV.

When I feel like misbehaving I read PostSecret, and know I'm not alone.

I keep the picture from your failed marriage as a reminder to me of too fast choices.
And because my hair looks great.

I think God is punishing me.

I don't think there is a cure for cancer.

God lets bad things happen so we can appreciate the good.

Without the bad how would we ever know?

I wish I knew my grandfather better.

When you told me that you had lied to me, I was relieved because of all the lies I've told you.

I say I've forgiven myself, but I don't really know what that means.


I cried when Dale died.

How can a Prophet be voted for?

I remember the mustard on your face and laugh.


I pretend to be tough to hide how vulnerable I really am.

Something happened after we moved there. I blocked it out and won't let myself remember.

Why is it ok that it hurts?

My kitties wait for me to go to bed.

Your rules don't apply to me.

Too much Art...Or not enough?

Duke University's Nasher Museum of Art holds a piece by artist Sean Landers, titled 'Self...Something'. A wall sized canvas with anecdotes, thoughts, fears, perceptions, quotes, anger, jokes, dreams, wants and hates of the artist written out for the perusal of all. The blatant honesty and nakedness of his words struck me to the core. Much like PostSecret, this raw expose' of inner thoughts cuts to the root of each of us. Reminding us that our fears, hopes and dreams are not so different from each other. I read many of my own insights, my own shortcomings and my own angst in his words. Tremendous that simply putting down the thoughts that roll around in our minds could touch another soul. We are so closely connected in this life, in our psyche and our souls. Simple truths resound in each of us, drifting from one to another. Multiplying and strengthing as they go. What would I say were I to write each thought? Who's heart would I prick? Who's wounds would I heal? My own.

What's in a Word?

ENDURE

1. to hold out against; sustain without impairment or yielding; undergo
2. to bear without resistance or with patience; tolerate
3. to admit of; allow; bear
4. to continue to exist; last
5. to support adverse force or influence of any kind; suffer without yielding; suffer patiently
6. to have or gain continued or lasting acknowledgment or recognition, as of worth, merit or greatness

1. To carry on through, despite hardships; undergo
2. To bear with tolerance
3. To continue in existence; last
4. To suffer patiently without yielding

1. put up with something or somebody unpleasant
2. face and withstand with courage
3. continue to live through hardship or adversity
4. undergo or be subjected to
5. last and be usable
6. persist for a specified period of time
7. continue to exist

D&C 24: 8

Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.

Wednesday

Quote for a Wednesday


Be open to learning new lessons,

even if they contradict the lessons

you learned yesterday.

-Ellen Degeneres

Tuesday

Tuesday Toes Day!

The bummer about not being sick any more is that i don't get to drink NyQuil for no reason now. Today was Family Plan day on my phone. I don't think I have spoken to this many members of my family in one day since like, ever.
I also actually did work today. Remarkable I know, but understandable considering the circumstances. No one to chitchat with about nothing, so I had to find other things to fill the long work hours. Learning to use my Facebook page, the SuperPoke thing is cool. Approved for cashback bonus points, nice.
Next on the docket, tickets to the great white north. I'm becoming a traveller. Who'da thunk?

Quote Perfect for the Times

To sit back hoping that someday, someway,
someone will make things right
is to go on feeding the crocodile,
hoping he will eat you last - but eat you he will.
-President Ronald Reagan

Sunday

Woman After My Own Heart







Come Monday, It'll Be Alright (Sing it with me)

Surprisingly I had a rather productive weekend, depsite being gravely ill and on my deathbed coughdramaqueencough. What!
Went home sick on Thursday and sadly missed my pool match, Friday came on a might quicker than expected. Though that may have been the 5-6 shots of NyQuil I had. And the memory foam mattress (side commercial: I highly recommend you invest in this little invention. I can actually sleep through the whole night with it!)
Friday I did make it in to work sometime after 11am, but to no avail. The Fed-Ex I needed did not arrive and I just infected my work area and coworkers for no reason. I did get rid of the box-o-SunChips that had been cruising around with me for, oh, say 2 months. Hey, they were free and I passed on the freeness to my fellow corporate slaves.
Saturday I was a bit on the manic side and hopped out of bed at around 10 am and....DID THE DISHES!!! And laundry! Wow. I even wiped down the counters and scrubbed the stove top and swept the floor! Go me! (For you folks who think that these everyday chores are not an accomplishment, I would like you to remember who is typing. Pat on the back for me!)
D came home from some Scout thing and we ran a couple errands and ended up at a discount furniture store that he heard about on the radio. This place had all the furniture that they have in model homes, so it's fancy stuff but they can't sell it as new. Anyways, we had no goal in mind, just wandering. And there it was...A solid wood, pub height kitchen table with two solid wood chairs. It needed a new coat of finish and the some leveling, but we scooted out of there with a very solid and gorgeous little table and chairs for.....$264 with tax!
D says it might be some fancy Honduran Mahogany wood, it is unlike any wood I've ever seen and I've seen a lot of wood. It had deep reds and oranges mingled in the burls and knots. Like I said, it's gorgeous. We get it home and I smash my thumb between the rail and the table trying to finagle it in the front door. Man Down!
D decided it needed a laquer finish because it was only finished with a penetrating oil, not enough to protect it, so off to Lowe's. We also looked for some bathroom shelves, because I have this odd desire to be organized and not have my things in cardboard boxes (I have yet to achieve this in any home I've ever lived in). Yes on the laquer, negative on the shelves, but I did find a shoe organizer that would be suitable for part of my growing shoe fetish.
Back home and I learn how to finish a table. 320 grit sandpaper and no paw prints. I do the second coat, basically, all by my lonesome (and now it needs another coat bcuz I'm not pro). The fumes are giving me a quasi NyQuil high, so we scoot out again to look for chair pads. Nothing at TJ Maxx, but Bed, Bath and Beyond rings true to their name, once again. Yea on the shelves! Also some cute chair pads with antislip stuff in a burnt umber hue (check your Crayons for a comparison). Placemats on clearance and we are outta there. I would like to say at this point that the last placemats we owned were given to us for our wedding. I myself had never before purchased a placemat, so this was an accomplishment in itself.
Sunday morning and time for church at the glaringly early hour of 9am. Ironically, or not so, my fever spikes and I am listless. Being that I teach 5 rambuncuous 3-year old's in Sunday School, my current state of physical well-being was not conducive to survival. Basically, I ditched. I crawled back into bed and woke up around 10:30a. D, however being the stalwart member of the Lord's true church, went to represent our family. Good man!
I did make it up out of bed and managed to notice the shining sun and warmness outside. I opened every window in the house, let the cats meander into the backyard and did what any marginally sick woman would do on such a beautiful Sunday morning. I painted my toenails. Sparkling Red Comet! Nice!
D came home and guilted my ditching by telling me that everyone asked about me. Hmphf! He is such an amazing chef, he made chicken enchiladas with green sauce from scratch. I helped by grating the cheese. (not so difficult with the fancy pants new food processor I got so I can make salsa with much more ease, but I digress.)
After this scruptious meal, I am determined to put the words "Easy to Assemble" to the test. I open the box with the new bathroom shelves and start pulling out pieces and more pieces and some more pieces. There were also screws and fancy parts and not so fancy parts and, of course, the oh-so-useful-tool, the alan wrench. This bent hexagon of steel is the nemesis of all would be assemblers. It is small and slippery and painful to use. Why don't they just make all the screws Philips-head and say on the box "Requires Philips-head screwdriver to assemble" Honestly, how many people do not have a Philips-head in their house? If not, they shouldn't be trying to assemble anything becasue they lack the basic tools to live by.
Anyways, after much struggle and frustration and dropping the oh-so-useful alan wrench and more than a few screws, I DID IT!! Bathroom Shelves Done! Go me!
I also assembled the, no-tools-required, shoe organizer. Which is now in my closet holding 16 pairs of my shoe fetish. This also means that I got rid of all those shoe boxes from the top shelf in my closet. Now I have more room for my sweaters and hats and the rest of my fetish that did not fit on the organizer. More room leaves only 1 option; must be filled!
All in all, a pretty productive weekend considering my near deathly illness state.
Stay classy San Diego, and thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday

Here, more or less.

Trying to pretend that I did not wake up with a sore throat. That my eyes are not starting to feel pressure behind them. Pretend that the lead weight in my head is not turning into a bowling ball. I hope I'm not getting sick. :o(

Thursday

Quote for the Day!

Friends are like really comfortable and terribly cute shoes.

Hard to come by, hard to pass up, and should be treasured,
treated well, and taken out on the town as often as possible!
-Starnes

Tuesday

True?


Hubby always calls me a Helicopter. Is this what he means?



Monday

Untitled

Layer of light
Breaks land from night
Sun's first rays
Not yet touch the sleeping
City lights
Quilt work patterns below

Whip cream clouds
Warm sun upon my face
Descending through layers
Dark then light
Farewell to the sun
Back to earth
And all that awaits

Again in the air
Again on the ground
Cities all look the same
Perspective on life
From His point of view
What will I find
Next time around?

Vocabulary

Some words are beautiful to say, as long as you have no comprehension of their meaning. Melancholy is an elaborate word. Succumbing another. Overwhelming is one. Antagonist glides. Ennui slides. Despondency fits. As does spiralling. Others I think sound eloquent that I dare not type here for the protection of my precious readers sensitive eyes and worrisome consciouses.
With all the medical, neurological and pharmacological terms bantered about these days, how is one as uneducated as I to muddle through the cornfield maze of symptoms, diagnosis and treatments? Do I really trust an HMO paid 800 number Freud to do what they say they are supposed to do? What about these mountains of miraculous/adversarial mind candy marketed in such colorful packaging? Have you read the side effects of these things? Dear God, worse than what they are supposed to fix.
Is that really the solution at all? Is there one?

This does not apply to me. Maybe tomorrow.

Hmm





Remarkably good picture of me. Why am I surprised that this picture turned out so good? What was I expecting? Hmm>>>>

Nothing of Much Importance Whatsoever

Movies we've recently seen:

Juno-Pretty good Indie flick. Laugh out loud funny in places, tug at your heart strings in other places, make you want to increase your vocabulary in others, realize that most folks are pretty real.

Cloverfield-About as real as they could make something completely ridiculously unreal. Shoulder camera gave me a headache. Actually cared about the characters. Where the heck did that thing come from and why didn't they use Smart bombs? We have J-Dams bunker busters that can break through 50 feet of earth and concrete and yet our Stealth was dropping WWII unguided bombs? Ever heard of guidance systems!?!

Enchanted- A musical that I thought was way cute. I would let kids see this. Maybe some girls Knight in Shining Whatever really is a single dad who lives like a bachelor and she really can make all of Central Park sing. Why the heck not?

National Treasure 2- Second verse, same as the first. But since I liked the first one, I'll give this on the thumbs up too.Did Helen Mirren really have a tattoo on her hand? Cool.

That's all for now folks.

Thursday

Overheard in the Office

'If you can't get this done I'm gonna escalate it! I don't know to who, or how, but I'm gonna escalate it!"

-Snippy Wench

SNOW!!!!

SNOW!!!
It snowed about 2-3 inches last night! So beautiful!
D and I ran outside at 3am and played in the snow. I built this tiny little snowman in my PJ's!


Back yard this morning. Rain is starting to melt the snow, but it's still there.

Front yard and my car. D is in my car, warming it up. What a nice guy!

Looking down our street! It's so crazy! I love snow!

Perfect Comic for Today


Wednesday

T-Shirt of the Day


Oh, to See the Error of My Ways

Click to make bigger


Do They Have Shoes Anonymous?







Grounded

Flight cancelled. Still in Michigan. Back in the hotel. Today was better then yesterday. The past 3 days have been "interesting". Learned lots and realized how little I know. Humbling. Miss my bed.

Monday

Leavin' On A Jet Plane

Direct flight from Charlotte to San Diego. Crazy Eights in the air. Sherlock Holmes keeps me company. Carne asada straight from the airport. Marriott with no covers. 3 hours of sleep. $45 bucks for breakfast. Back to work. Rep crying and whining, catches fire. Trip to Michigan confirmed. Sushi, finally. Traffic and the carpool lane for the first time.
Mexican food dinner with old friends. Let in the door by the 4 year old. Magnet rocks. Trent's whole new world serenade. Every day a red-letter.
Early to the Newport Beach Temple. Glad to see my family again. Meagan all in white. Surprise! Reminders of the promises I made. Back to what matters most.
Pictures and fountains. Tuxes and satin. Flowers and flashes.
Back on the road. Colima's!!! Rolled tacos are my friend.
El Torito's for luncheon with the bridal party. Video of lives meshed.
Reception Reception Reception. So many familiar faces, comfortable places. Home.
Chocolate Costco cake.
Back to the fam's house with laughs and love.
Saturday is Shellee and sushi day. Tried 5 times to buy the Chinese dress, wasn't meant to be. Back to the Martin's to reminisce. Emily was here in the concrete. Hear all about the new baby. Shouldn't be gone so long in-between. Probably wouldn't recognize her if I saw her.
Walking on the beach, asking, listening, waiting. Eyes closed. My shoes are waterproof, cool. Dinner at Colima's, I love that place. Jen and Nathan (Jshizz n' Bubba) Old friends never change. And change so much. D and the boys meet to share in Mexican delight. Walk to the water and chat about life. Miss my friends.
Grocery store for cinnamon roll mixings. Smart words. Same meat dept guy, same checker. Some things never change. Quiet words.
Drop off groceries and the hubby. Can't wait to read Rusty Anchors and learn about her life. How did she overcome so much and still be so full of love? Great example to me.
Off to Diane's. Teen hair dying and computer hacking. Wal-Mart almost midnight. Mom down the street is not as cool as Di. Forgot my camera, dagnabbit!
Church is sweet peace. "Good Morning" brings tears to my eyes. Hearing my girls stand as God's witnesses. Reminders of why I changed.
Roast beast dinner on fancy china and crystal, with real silver-ware. Feels so grown up. Hugs and promises to return. Cinnamon Rolls back at the McA's, gobbled up like kids in a candy store. All the kids together. "Home teaching" on the big screen, Scriptures won 17-6! Go Bolts! Pride and Prejudice homework. More hugs and tearful goodbyes. We'll always have MySpace.
Airport and flight delays. D's leaves before me. He goes home. I go to Cleveland. Jane Austen book club? Alright already, how many signs do I need? Persuasion is next on my list.
Sleep on the bench in the airport. Bruise on my hip. Delays and fog, rain and ice. Tiniest plane ever invented. Have to stoop to walk down aisle. D would have to crawl. Grand Rapids with snow on the ground. Hotel and off to work. Complaints relived over and over and over and over and over. Stab me in the eye why don't ya?! No we are not Morgan Stanley!! Go back if you love it so much! Oh you got fired and you can't. Lucky we took you at all and you know it!
Deep breath. In<<<<<>>>>>>
Warm bubble bath and relaxation. Sleep beckons and dreams whisper my name.

Tuesday

2008 New Years Resolutions!

  1. Take the Stairs
  2. Let Go
  3. Waste Less
  4. Forgive More
  5. Learn How to Pay Attention

Let's review:

  1. Take the Stairs: I am a fairly stationary being the vast majority of my hours. I sit at work, I sit in the car, I sit at home, I'm sitting right now. I work on the 6th floor, that's 12 flights. I'll have to wear tennis shoes in the morning and put on my cute shoes once I get to my desk. Then I'll have my tennies to go for walks during lunch. Multi-purpose!
  2. Let Go: I have a tendancy to hold on to things; bitterness, anger, spite, wrongs and pains. They are poison in my veins. I am working on learning new skills on letting go and having the faith that they will be replaced by better things. We have a limited space inside us, what do we fill it with?
  3. Waste Less: I am wasteful. With food, time, money, energy, thoughts, emotions, attention and love. I will work on one thing at a time to try to be less wasteful. This is a lifelong effort, might as well start now.
  4. Forgive More: This mainly means myself, but all people in general and some close to me in specific. One of the main skills I'll use to Let Go is forgiveness. If I do not forgive myself or others, I hold onto that enmity, thus not letting go. The cycle continues. Learning the true meaning and purpose of forgiveness is my goal.
  5. Learn How to Pay Attention: To myself; my body, my mind and heart; To my husband and marriage; To my work and responsibilities; To my home and future goals; Most importantly - Pay Attention to the moment right now. I can do nothing for the past and the future may not come, I have only this moment to live.

Friday

Hilarious T-Shirt of the Day

I soo want this shirt!


HeeHee!!

Quote for the Day

She could not love well enough alone.
-Geff Huth

...a Day in the Neighborhood

Rain streaks down my window.
Wet reflections off the cold asphault.
Bare trees still.
Soldiers at attention.
Ominous storm clouds.
Grey and forbidding.
Drops bounce off the windowsill.
Plummeting towards the earth.
Wind gusts past.
Sharp and cold.
Winter's chill hangs.

Thursday

Comic for the Day

My Own Little World

Wednesday

Shoe Fetish Strikes Again!

Perfect for a Picnic!
Sexy!

Retro

My Secret Librarian Fetish Just because this shoe company is called Naughty Monkey!!

Cheap Date

Charlotte has this cool free newspaper called Creative Loafing (ala the Reader for you San Diegans). I was perusing their website today and found this way cool list called Cheap Thrills: 50 Fun Things to do in Charlotte for less than $5bucks

A few of my favorites are:
#3 Thrift-store scavenger hunt: Anyone who's a regular at the area Goodwills, Value Villages and the like knows that there are some items you'll find at any thrift store in America. Other items can be found with regularity but are far from sure things. Look for a copy of Rush Limbaugh's wretched The Way Things Ought To Be -- every Goodwill in America has at least one. The same holds true with What to Expect When You're Expecting.

#7 Free billiards: A handful of places in Charlotte offer free pool for folks on a budget. Elizabeth Billiards, a smoke-filled favorite among certain past and present CL staffers, is known to give out free pizza on Fridays. Of course, they probably want you to shell out a couple of bucks for beer (that free pool ain't paying the light bill). Invite your friends and look thirsty. They owe you money anyway.

...and of course:
#8 Greyhound station sightings: Snobs may sneer, but for my money (or lack of) the bus station on Trade Street provides excellent fodder for people-watching. Remember: Bus stations don't typically employ metal detectors (though I have seen a drug-sniffing dog or two) so the bus depot is where you see the seedier side of interstate travel. Nor do people take buses on business trips, so their travels are more likely to involve a story. And if they're going Greyhound, they likely have plenty of time to wait and might not mind telling a tale or two. Sit around and look bored. You'll see things (601 West Trade St.).


*People watching is one of the best sports ever. Not a sport, you say, oh foul naysayer!? Of course it's a sport. Much effort and concentration is put into effective people watching. And it is not just the watching. The creativity and skill required to evoke believable (or not so much)KGB/007/Jason Bourne type stories is a unique talent not owned by the teeming masses. Catching the drops, watching the eye contacts, seeing the acknowledgements and understanding the hand signals is a gift. Truly it is. Try it sometime, and see how much the CIA really is watching you. (the conspiracy theorist in me rears it's well masked head)

I thought I could add a few of my own favorite cheap dates to the list.

1. Wal-Mart Super Center: Everything from Big Screen TV's to yogurt can be found in this mecca to the consumer gods. Strolling the aisles can open new worlds of people-watching as Wal-Mart cuts a large swath out of America's hierarchical cross section. From welfare folks to Saks 5th Avenue types, everyone needs something at Wal-Mart. The toy section is the best place. I once got chased by a security guard as I did laps on a Razor Scooter. During the summer, you can try out all the different kinds of lawn furniture and dream of your perfect sun-room.

2. Shopping Mall Window Shopping: Near my home there are two large shopping malls and multiple shopping centers. I love to wander the shops and check out sales and people watch and try things on and sample the "Try Me" items, listen to the sales pitches from the kiosks and go in stores in which I have no interest in buying things just to make sure the minimum wage earning teenager is not playing on their cell phone. I rarely buy things unless I'm actually on a mission for something, but the energy that I gain from the interaction is invigorating. The sounds and scents and eye candy is great entertainment. And it's free (as long as you're not duped into buying something you don't need anyway). This last point does not count for shoes. There is never a wrong time to buy shoes.

3. Going for a drive: Where does this road go? I think I'll turn right here. There's a sign for a park, let's check it out. Wonder what the houses on this street look like? I love to wander around town and look at houses and trees and find out what roads connect to what. Charlotte is set up like a wagon wheel, with Uptown as the axle and main arteries spreading out in all directions. The 485 freeway is the tire as it circles the entire city. The rest of the roads are a maze of curves changing direction and name at will. Some roads, you actually have to turn left or right to stay on the same road, if you go straight through the light you will be on a different road. Driving around Charlotte is always an adventure. *Always travel with a street map in case you get lost. I don't trust Garmin's. Also, with the price of gas inching up, this date might not fall under the $5buck range. If not, you should probably buy a new car.

4. Tour Uptown and Check out Hotel Lobbies: D and I spent the last 3 days Uptown and wandered the streets taking pictures of architecture and Christmas decorations.We toured the grounds of an old church and graveyard. There are many hotels in the city and they all have nice open lobbies. You do not have to be a guest to sit and enjoy the lobby area. Most connect to some type of restaurant and bar area with a TV set on and possibly a water feature. You can relax on a couch and read the newspaper, catch up on the sports news and maybe partake in the buffet (again this would be more than $5bucks but you could do it if you wanted to). As long as you are unassuming and do not draw attention to yourself, you could hang out in a lobby indefinitely as they are open 24 hours. I do not recommend spending more than a few hours in one, then move down the block to the next fancy hotel lobby and try out their sofa's.

5. Open Houses and Model Homes: Viewing Open Houses and touring Model Homes is a good time waster with some fun, cruel and productive results. Not only can you create fantastical stories of your Southern California real estate market pre-bubble bursting bankroll that is burning a hole in your pocket, thus raising the hopes and dreams of a struggling real estate agent, but you can get great decorating ideas as well. You can also see why Martha Stewart should have stayed behind bars as the perfectly themed rooms vomit their excess into the hallways. And see why the mover-outers are moving out when you hear the next door neighbor screaming at his ever barking dog, and the teenagers across the street revving their rice rocket engines. Usually there are some kind of goodies to partake of and brochures & flyers galore.

These are just a few of my favorite things. Dear Lord, I am bored.

Christmas in Charlotte

City nights and Christmas lights twinkle and shine throughout the Queen's city. Leaves cover the streets and yards. Trees hibernate for the winter and squirrels run from nut to den storing up for the cold. The temperature drops and frost sparkles on my car each morning.



Christmas started early for me this year. D surprised me with tickets to see Handel's Messiah at the Belk Theatre on the 19th. I had never heard the full version of the Messiah before. It was so dramatic, with the orchestra and soloists and choir. When the audience stood for the Hallelujah chorus, tears pricked my eyes. The dedication and obvious enjoyment by the artists was striking.


We had dinner before the show at Morton's Steakhouse. I had the double cut Fillet Mignon (yum)! D wore his suit and I wore my fancy maroon velvet dress. A drunk lady in the restroom told me I looked fabulous. Always nice to hear.

My sister came down for the weekend and we had Christmas morning early on Sunday. We opened presents and ate pancakes and laughed. She flew out to Texas the next day, I'm so glad I got to see her and spend time together. Our friendship really has grown.

I only had two Sunbeams in Sunday School, but we had a great time making paper chains with the Christmas story pictures on them. My kids got to take home the decorations for their own tree and they can tell their family the story of the Saviour's birth.

D had yet another surprise for me, a 3-night stay in the Marriott in Uptown Charlotte. We checked in on Sunday night and I was speechless when I saw the jacuzzi tub!! It was big enough for two and I took full advantage of it. D and I toured downtown and took pictures of the Christmas decorations. We relaxed in our hotel room and soaked in the tub. I feel so spoiled!


Saturday

I've Come to Realize...

1. I've come to realize that my butt: shakes even when I don't mean it to.

2. I've come to realize that when I talk:I should probably shut my mouth and think first.

3. I've come to realize that, if I love someone:I need to have realistic expectations.

4. I've come to realize that, I need:different things than I thought I did.

5. I've come to realize that, I lost:something I didn't even know I had.

6. I've come to realize that, I hate it when:get lost in my own head.

7. I've come to realize that, if I'm drunk:I need to talk to the Bishop.

8. I've come to realize that, marriage:is a lot more than just living with someone.

9. I've come to realize that, my faults: are not as bad as some would have me believe.

10. I've come to realize that, I'll always be:God's daughter.

11. I've come to realize that, I have a crush on: he who makes me laugh.

12. I've come to realize that, the last time I cried was: when I was begging for something that I'm terrified to get.

13. I've come to realize that my cell phone: gets more attention than more worthy things.

14. I've come to realize that, when I wake up in the morning: I choose how my day will be.

15. I've come to realize that, before I go to sleep at night: I need to slow down my thoughts and just breath.

16. I've come to realize that, right now I am thinking about: going back to bed.

17. I've come to realize that, babies are: God's gift.

18. I've come to realize that, when I get on Myspace:it's the pictures that make my day.

19. I've come to realize that, today I will: actually be productive and give myself credit for what I have done and not hound myself on what I didn't get done.

20. I've come to realize that, tonight I will: thank God for the day.

21. I've come to realize that, tomorrow I will: have the opportunity to start over again with a clean slate.

22. I've come to realize that, I really want to: know if I can do it on my own.

23. I've come to realize that, the person who is most likely to re-post this:probably has better things to do, but is intrigued by the answers they will find within themselves.

Sunday

Tuesday

Letter from Jesus on Christmas

Dear Child,

It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday at this time. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, then just GET ALONG WITH, AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is My wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God's Son and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember........

I LOVE YOU,
Jesus

Monday

Oh the Things Online!

Found this odd website called Emily's List. Pro-Democrat Female policitician lobbying group. Cool speach though.


“EMILY is every woman who has ever sat at a business meeting while someone else took credit for her good work.

EMILY is every young professional who’s been told to wait her turn and every seasoned one who’s been told she still has to pay her dues.

EMILY is every working mom who’s managed to balance a checkbook, who’s managed a clean house, a corporate budget and a 12-year-old’s basketball tournament in one day.

EMILY is every stay-at-home mom who has ever been asked, “No, I mean, what do you do? What do you really do?”


She is every woman who’s ever had to defend her right to be pro-choice. She’s every woman who’s ever had to explain her choice not to have a child.

She’s every woman who has ever demanded a raise because she’s been doing the same work as the man in the next cubicle for the same number of years, and she’s still not getting the same pay. She’s every woman who has ever wondered why the company won’t cover her contraceptives, but will cover that same guy’s Viagra.

EMILY is every working mom who has ever fought for quality day care or family leave time. She is every woman who has given up a single day of vacation to care for a sick child or a sick parent.

EMILY is every girl in every classroom whose hand was still in the air after the boys got their questions answered.

She’s every athlete who’s ever been told, “She throws like a girl.” She’s every candidate who’s ever been asked how she can run for office and have a family at the same time.

She is every African-American woman who has had to work three times as hard to be considered as good as her white male colleague.

She is every Jewish woman who has ever been called a princess.

She is every Hispanic woman who has been asked how long her family has been in this country.

She is every woman who has been called too soft or too strong or too aggressive or too nice or too ambitious to get the job done.

She is every woman who has ever been measured against a glossy picture in a magazine.

EMILY is the seamstress who has sewn the graduation gowns for years but has never worn one.

EMILY is every woman who helped set up this room today and who will clean up after we leave

… and that same woman who only wants her daughters to dream big dreams, because EMILY knows that young girls cannot be what they cannot see.”

Monday

Serenity


God,
Grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
The Courage to change the things I can,
And the Wisdom to know the difference.

Thursday

Cattle Drive, Here I Come!!

Here are my new boots! Can't you see me on a horse?


Stuff

So it's cold here. Hmm.

And I'm going on a Cattle Drive in May for my Birthday. Seriously!

And I need a new bed so maybe I can actually sleep through the whole night.

And I'll make my way. Wherever I may turn.

Monday

Quote for the Day

Sometimes my words
get ahead of my thoughts,
and it takes a minute
for my heart to catch up.
-EJH

Yee-Haw!


Saturday

How to Get a Free Carwash

So I pull into my local gas station on empty, and I'm jonesing for sunflower seeds ( I don't smoke or drink so this is as edgy as I get people).

Instead of paying at the pump, I walk my hiking boots, dirty jeans, wrinkly shirt, hair in ponytail, no make-up wearing booty in to the mini-mart.

I grab some crackin' seeds and stand in line. Skinny as a bean pole 17year-old looking gas station attendant checks me from head to foot.

I laugh inside.

I smack down my seeds and say "Fill it up on 9".

He hands me back the seeds and says "Just pay at the pump."

Stumped, I look at the seeds and say " I can't pay for these at the pump."

He does his best James Dean and says, "It's cool."

I shake my head, "No, it's cool. I'll pay for these and put $35 on 9."

He shrugs his shoulders.

The line behind me grows.

He rings up the seeds.

Twice.

He curses under his breath, deletes both seeds and tries to give them to me again.

I smile patiently with all the effort of not outright laughing at him, and wait for my total.

Swiping my card, I PIN in with the final total, snatch my paid for seeds and say, "Thank you so much."

I walk out, shaking my booty just for heck of it.

Back at the car, I throw the seeds in, look at the pump and...

*Smack*

I'm on pump 10, dagnabbit!

I walk my booty back inside, stand in line, watch him smile knowingly like I came back just for him, get to the front and say,

"Just because I wanted to make you work for your paycheck today, I told you the wrong pump number. I'm on 10."

He smiled his dorky little grin and said as smoothly as any gas station jockey could "I know. I watched you get out of your car and I knew what pump you were on. I got it right."

Alrighty then. Back at the car, pumping my gas. Do-de-do.

I top off at $32. Dagnabbit!

I walk my booty back inside for trip 3. Are seeds really worth all this!?

I grab a cup for my cracked shells and stand in line behind an old man in a tux who danced to the tunes of Marvin Gaye over the mini-mart's rocking surround sound system.

Back at the front of the line.

"Change on 10 please."

He smiles knowingly. He really believes that I did all this just to put on a show for him. Sad little boy.

Anyways, I get my $3 bucks change. I read his extra cool name tag and say,"Michael, thank you for all your hard work for me today."

I sashe' back to my car. Inside I arrange my seed cup, and proceed to have difficulty opening up the seed package. I have not yet driven away from the pump.

Who do I see walking up to my car with paper in hand?

Michael, the oh so sauve keeper of the gas and all mini-mart goodies!

I roll down my window and ask "What did I forget?"

He hands me a slip of paper and says, "This is for your car."

It's a ticket for a FREE Ultra Carwash!!

He then hands me another piece of paper with his name and number written on it.

"And this is for me". His smile has all the desire of 17year-old boy looking at a girl. Seriously!

Before I go on I would just like to say how very flattered I was at this move. I was so not trying to be extra cute or funny or flirty or anything. Just being me. Also, I was very impressed at his self-confidence. He was not the cutest thing since sliced bread and could use some ProActiv, but dang! He straight out gave me his number! That took some huevos!

But I still shot him down. What could I do?

I pointed at my ring and said, "Thank you so much, but I'll have to give this back to you."

I handed his number back to him.

He looked at my ring, crestfallen, and said "Oh sorry. But you can still have the carwash."

"Thank you! That's really awesome!" I reply.

He ambles back to the store, a bit broken hearten.

I drive through to get my Free Ultra Carwash, ego boosted.

Moral of the story: It pays to be nice, even to the guy at the gas station.

Friday

Quote for the Day

I believed what I was told
and not what my own eyes saw.



ouch

Thursday

Thought for the Day

This guy's walking down a street, when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep, he can't get out.

A doctor passes by, and the guy shouts up "Hey you! Can you help me out?"
The doctor writes him a prescription, throws it down the hole and moves on.

Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up
"Father, I'm down in this hole, can you help me out?"
The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on.

Then a friend walks by. "Hey Joe, it's me, can you help me out?"
And the friend jumps in the hole!
Our guy says "Are you stupid? Now we're both down here!" and the friend says,
"Yeah, but I've been down here before, and I know the way out."

Remember, that your friends and your family will be there for you. Cause they will have been where you are and they can help.

Monday

hello

For all 3 of you who check up on me here, I am not dead. I am writing a screenplay of a wild west story. It's been rolling around in my head and I'm desperately trying to get it all out. But it's getting longer everyday.

Promise I will write more and put up some new pics when I'm done.

PS. I'm thinking of taking a writing class. What do you think?

Quote of the Day

The children the world almost break,
become the adults who save it.
-Frank Warren
PostSecret

Friday

Bucket o' Thoughts

Walt Disney World is amazing. World Showcase at Epcot is the best place for wandering.

New job and nothing to do. Alrighty then.

Love my Mickey watch, but I keep looking at my phone for the time. Old habits die hard.

Can't wait to see Transformers again. And Die Hard.

Lack of sleep and too much sugar equals aware meloncholiness.

Even in the middle, I still need a new bed. HHGregg? That would work. Why the heck not? What's a little more credit?

Babyshowers are more complicated that one would think. It was easy when I just had to buy some diapers, show up, eat some fingerfood, play dumb games and leave early.

D is a much better homemaker. Maybe he's right.

Adopt by next year? *bite my nails 'till they bleed*

I make such a cute Minnie Mouse.

What movies are coming out this weekend? Maybe I'll go out to the movies by my lonesome tonite.

Wonder whatever happened to Erik Ziegler?

Hope Wanda Jo is doing ok.

Liquid Hot "Magma"

I need more toys.

Why can't I sleep?

Idaho in March!! There'll probly be snow!

I wonder what the average really is?

How many will it take?

Magic 8 Balls don't really have all the answers. Don't believe packaging.

Alright, back to my "work".

INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

WILLIAM E. HENLEY